What is the Catholic understanding of the hypostatic union in Christ?

• A. The divine and human natures are separated in different persons.
• B. Christ exists with two natures, divine and human, in the one person.
• C. Christ has one nature that is partly divine and partly human merged.
• D. Jesus had only a human will and nature.

Answer: (B)

The main concept is that Jesus is one person who fully possesses two natures: divine and human. In Catholic teaching, the hypostatic union means the divine Word assumes a human nature and lives as both truly God and truly man, without the two natures blending into a single new nature or existing as two separate persons. They remain distinct yet inseparably united in the one person of the Son of God. This is captured in the historical confession that there are two natures in one person, without confusion, change, division, or separation.

So the best statement is that Christ exists with two natures, divine and human, in the one person. It reflects the proper distinction and union: Jesus is not merely human or merely divine, and he is not two separate persons. It also aligns with the understanding that, while Jesus has a human will and a divine will, these wills operate in unity within the single person, preserving both natures.